Fire-escape.



0= F.. DAVIS.,

FIRE ESCAPE'1v APPLIUATIQ'N Hmm MN. 1903,.` RENEW-HD1 Aw., ze. 19o4. No MODEL. 'v

PATENTED OCT. 4, 1904.

z I /////////////////l///// UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR F. DAVIS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO DAVIS FIRE ESCAPE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,794, dated October 4, 1904. Application filed January 6, 1903. Renewed August 29, 1904. Serial No. 222,604.. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OSCAR F. DAvIs, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to fire-escapes; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

The object is to improve upon the invention shown and described in my former Letters Patent No. 651,653, dated June 12, 1900, whereby the device will be rendered more durable and efficient and less likely to get out of order in operation.

Figure 1 shows my new {ire-escape with the cover removed, the brake in its normal position. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section with rope omitted. Fig. 3 is an end View with the rope removed.

In the construction of the device I provide the usual friction-box 1, having the cylindrical friction-studs 2 and adjacent semicircular friction-studs 3, and the center frictionstuds 4, against which the rope comes in contact in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The studs 2 are made cylindrical in form, so that they may be more readily finished by a machinetool adapted to finish cylindrical studs. A single brake 5 is provided with a shank 6, which extends through an opening in the edge of the box 1 and carries upon its outer terminal a handle 7 Said brake 5 is provided with theusual groove 8 upon its inner side, into which the rope 9 fits. The brake is provided midway of its length within the said groove 8 with a transverse rib or projection 10.

To prevent rocking of the brake, I provide the box 1 with two lugs or projections 11, one at either side of the shank-opening, so that the back of the brake will normally rest upon the said projections and hold the same firmly in position, as shown in Fig. 1.

During operation the brake 5 is pressed inwardly by the operator, thereby causing the lateral rib 10 to Vbe projected into the rope and generating a much greater amount of friction than would be generated were the groove 8 devoid of said rib. Further inward movement of said brake will press the rope firmly into contact with the' center stud 4 and greatly increase the friction and also presses closely together the oppositely-moving coils of rope. The weight of the person being lowered also draws the oppositely-movin'g coils closer together. By these several means of creating friction the operator can lower himself at any degree of rapidity desired and the device is rendered more reliable, durable, and efficient than heretofore.

I claim as new and desire to have secured to me by the grant of Letters Patent- In a fire-escape, the combination of the friction-box 1 having friction-studs 2 and 4, the grooved brake 5 provided with shank 6 and handle 7 and the transverse rib 10' located opposite the center stud 4, and lugs 11 to prevent rocking of the said brake, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR F. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

M. Cr. IRION, ALFRED A. Ercxs. 

